Abstract: ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between depression in stroke patients with cognitive impairment and possible factors. Methods236 cognitive impaired patients whose score of Scale of Elderly Cognitive Function (SECF) ≤90 were selected in this study from inpatients with stroke from 1997 to 2004. They were evaluated with SECF, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Ability of Daily Living (ADL) immediately and 2 months after hospitalization.72 patients were in the depression group(SDS≥50),and 164 patients were in the no-depression group(SDS<50). Gradual regression analysis was applied. One factor was taken as dependent variable selected from immediate scores of SECF, ADL, SAS, and the change of scores of SECF, ADL, SAS, SDS, respectively, while others were taken as independent variables. ResultsThe improvement of depression and ADL were helpful to reduce the anxiety and improve cognitive function in depression group (P<0.05), as well as the improvement of anxiety and cognitive function were helpful to improve the depression and ADL (P<0.05).The negative correlation were found between the difference former and latter score of SDS and ADL, as well as between those of SAS and SECF (P<0.05).ConclusionPatients with cognitive impairment can be beneficial from reducing depression and anxiety companied with improving the ADL and cognitive function, which is also mutually beneficial.

Key words: stroke, cognitive function, depression, anxiety, Ability of Daily Living (ADL)